For title collector Carlo Ancelotti, the matter with RB Leipzig is far from clear. "We have to be careful in the second leg," the successful Real Madrid coach warned his stars ahead of the decisive round of 16 match on Wednesday (21:00/DAZN). After the 1-0 win in the first leg, the Whites' progress seems to be a formality, but Leipzig have earned a lot of respect from "Don Carlo". "Simply a strong opponent" is the Bundesliga fifth-placed team, said the 64-year-old.
Leipzig's social media representatives summed up the difficult task at the Spanish soccer champions in a simple formula: "All or nothing at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu". After their early exit from the DFB Cup as defending champions and with a 21-point deficit to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, the Saxons are looking for their last title chance of the season.
Leipzig draw confidence from last year's win against Real
A success in Madrid would be a huge surprise. But after the recent 4:1 win in Bochum, the RB professionals are encouraging themselves. "That's how you win nasty away games, that's how you can win in Madrid," said international David Raum.
The underdogs have known how to beat Real since their 3-2 home win in the group stage last year. RB also sold themselves dearly at the Bernabéu in pre-season before two brilliant moments from Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio secured a late 2-0 win. Even if Marco Rose's team can do a lot with energy, pressing and unity, Real are probably better individually in all positions.
RB's minimum target in danger
If their European Cup journey ends in Madrid, Leipzig will only have one other mission left in the top flight. RB are currently one point behind fourth-placed Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and qualifying for the Champions League once again is the club's top priority. It would be the seventh time in eight seasons. But even achieving this minimum target is questionable.
Participating on Europe's biggest soccer stage is an absolute must in order to keep stars like Dani Olmo. The Dutchman Xavi Simons, who trained with the Spaniard Olmo at FC Barcelona's La Masia training academy, is also attracting interest from other top clubs.
Real star Bellingham with anger in his stomach
The 20-year-old Simons is the third-best player in the Champions League in these categories with 15 shots on goal and 15 assists. Only Johan Bakayoko (21/16) of PSV Eindhoven and Real star Jude Bellingham (16/15) have been better than the Paris Saint-Germain loanee so far this season. The England international missed the first leg due to an ankle injury and is now back in the Real squad.
"I love him," Rose recently enthused about his former Dortmund teammate. Bellingham is likely to line up with anger in his stomach. On Sunday evening, his supposed 3:2 goal in stoppage time at Valencia FC was disallowed because the referee blew his whistle during the cross. Bellingham was also shown the red card for complaining.
In addition to the 20-year-old, national team returnee Toni Kroos will also be in the spotlight. His DFB comeback was still open at the first leg, but now the mystery has been solved. His work in midfield as a Real pacemaker is set to be halted by Xaver Schlager, who is back after his yellow card suspension in Bochum.
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